Dogs are extremely loyal and affectionate pets. While dogs are known for being quite affectionate throughout their entire lifespan, there’s more to owning a dog when you’re raising kids than simply having a furry companion. Dogs are good for kids through many stages in life and here are the top 4 reasons a dog is good for kids.
Encourages Physical Activity
Many dogs enjoy playing, running and jumping around. Your kids will enjoy these playtime adventures with your furry companion. Dogs are a fun way to get the kids active and in turn, helps encourage physical activity without you having to push the kids away from electronics to get outside. Kids will enjoy playing fetch and running around kicking a ball with their furry family member on a regular basis.
Teaches Responsibility
Owning a dog brings about new responsibilities for your kids to help with. Everything from feeding, grooming to walking and playing with your dog are tasks that your kids can help with. When you enlist your kids in doggy duty, they learn about responsibilities in a fun, creative way that doesn’t feel like work. Making responsibility fun will encourage your kids to be more responsible in other areas too.
Can Help an Only Child
When raising an only child it may seem like they are lonely at times. No siblings to play or bicker with could bring about the sense of desire to have a friend around. When you own a dog and have one child, you’re helping to create a bond that they normally would get from siblings. It’s a wonderful bond that helps create magical moments for an only child who doesn’t have siblings to share those moments with.
Good Mental Health
Dogs have been proven to help adults as well as kids to cope with high stress and anxious moments. Just the simple act of talking to a dog can calm the nerves of any human being. When a kid is speaking to a dog the part of their brain that protects them from saying certain things, doesn’t trigger. This helps your kids to use their dog as a therapeutic tool to get through difficult times.
As you can see, dogs are a good option to have when raising kids. They can bring about a new level of excitement, calm an anxious kid or simply act as another part of teaching life lessons to kids. If you are considering owning a dog, I hope you will take these reasons into consideration as a means to inspire you to purchase your next family dog.
We always had a dog growing up and I have the best memories of my first dog, Scotty. He was the best! Our kids grew up with a dog and now the grandkids come over and love to play with our dog, Max.
Except for the mental health part I think most parents have heard these from their child begging to get a dog. They are all good reasons to add a pet to the family.
My daughter wishes she could have a dog! Instead we just have two cats. I don’t think I have the energy for a dog.
Having dogs can really teach kids being responsible. It’s also nice to have pets sets they really warm up the house with their presence.
I definitely agree that getting in animal teaches a kid responsibility. We have a dog and he feeds him every day. He’s a little too small to walk our dog but he definitely takes his responsibilities seriously. I am glad because it shows that he has dedication and that in life maybe he will continue that dedication.
We have dogs, and they are great for teaching responsibility. One of my daughter’s jobs around the house is to make sure they have food and water daily. She does a great job at keeping their bowls full.
We have two rescue shih tzus and me and my husband do most of the walking feeding and other pet care. Our kids love the dogs but are sometimes too busy for them.
I totally agree. I can’t image life raising our daughters without our basset hound. She has been a big part of our family for a long time.
I had a dog growing up. I think dogs are great as well. We don’t have dogs currently because we just don’t have space for one, or the income to support vet bills but they are man’s best friend for a reason.
I’ve been trying to get my husband on board with the dog idea. I am totally going to send him this post.
I agree with their loyalty. Our Jack Russell Terrier won’t leave me when I am outside gardening, he even stays in the bathroom when I shower lol.
Funnily this has been a topic for a few months now. My son is 15 and we think it would be great to have a dog to increase the sense of responsibility and just to get out in the fresh air often. This is a great post and helps to sort out our thoughts
We have two rescue dogs consistently and everyone has benefited from all of the things you stated above; especially my daughter with special needs. She loves her dogs and they love her!
Pets are great for kids. These are all awesome reasons to get a pet for the kids, especially a dog. They’re full of love and affection and they’re definitely going to teach the kids a lot of things in life.
I will never, ever forget the beloved pets I shared my life with when growing up.
For as long as I can remember, we have had a dog in the family! I know both my kids love having one – even though they still don’t want to clean up after the pup.
I totally love my dogs. They are so sweet and love everyone!
These are all amazing reasons. Dogs and kids form a special bond that we all can learn from too!
We used to have a dog but when we had a baby we thought it would be better not to have one. Now that our baby is turning three, I think it’s time we have a dog again.
I do not have any dogs or pets right now out of choice.. I have always been very irresponsible but I would love my kids to have at least one dog as soon as they are old enough to feed and bath it.